Abstract
The 96 h LC50 values of six insecticides were determined on a non-target epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus under laboratory conditions. Cypermethrin was found most toxic to P. excavatus (LC50-0.008 mg/kg), followed by endosulfan (LC50-0.03 mg/kg), carbaryl (LC50-6.07 mg/kg), chlorpyrifos (LC50-7.3 mg/kg), aldicarb (LC50-10.63 mg/kg) and monocrotophos (LC50-13.04 mg/kg). When these LC50 values were compared with their respective recommended agricultural doses, aldicarb and carbaryl appeared more dangerous than other pesticides because of their lower LC50 values than their respective recommended agricultural dose. Mean lethal time to cause 50% mortality at recommended agricultural dose (LT50) also indicated that aldicarb achieved the fastest LT50 (26 h) followed by endosulfan (38 h) and carbaryl (44 h) indicating the danger of these pesticides to P. excavatus.
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Acknowledgments
We thank the Head, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani and Principal, Raja N.L. Khan Women’s College for providing necessary laboratory facilities. Financial assistance from UGC is thankfully acknowledged.
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Das Gupta, R., Chakravorty, P.P. & Kaviraj, A. Studies on Relative Toxicities of Six Insecticides on Epigeic Earthworm, Perionyx excavatus . Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 85, 83–86 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0038-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0038-5